It could be time for you to get a new cabin air filter. This cartridge filter purifies the air that enters the cabin area from the vents.
It’s similar to an air conditioning filter found in most homes.
When and why to replace a cabin air filter
Clean Cabin Air Filter
How often the filter should be changed depends on the make and model of a vehicle and its driver.
Someone who lives on a dirt road may want to get a new one every 10,000 miles. Those who travel from their driveway to the interstate might need to change it every 20,000 miles.
This filter helps prevent your vehicle’s heating core and evaporator from clogging up.
Having it changed regularly helps keep dust, dirt, pollen and bacteria out of the front of your vehicle so you don’t breathe it in.
Before setting up an appointment to change the filter, you might want to make sure your vehicle has one. Some cars, such as Volkswagen beetles, don’t have them.
Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
Vehicle safety inspectors check over many parts of a vehicle when conducting the Virginia Safety Inspection.
Overtime, problems can crop up and go unnoticed. During the state inspection, we keep an eye out for potential issues that could become bigger overtime and jeopardize the safety of those on the road.
A vehicle’s windshield, windows and mirrors aren’t exempt from this annual requirement. Below, we give more details about what exactly we’re looking at.
Virginia Safety Inspection: Windshields
Windshield wipers are one of the items automotive technicians check for while inspecting windshields. We make sure that they aren’t torn and that the defroster works the way it should.
To pass Virginia Safety Inspection, there shouldn’t be cracks that go from one part of the windshield to another.
Star cracks, which resemble a spider web, can’t be larger than 1 and a half inches in diameter.
Rocks and debris that fall off moving vehicles or come up from the road can cause star cracks.
Windshield repair
It’s a good idea to check with your insurance company and see if it offers windshield coverage. If you notice a star crack in your windshield, some companies will address the problem at little or no cost.
You need to be able to see out of both sides of the windshield in order to pass inspection.
A windshield will fail state inspection if the tint is too hazy or if it falls below the AS-1 line. If a vehicle doesn’t have an AS-1 line, windshield tinting that features words, letters, numbers or pictures can’t go more than 3 inches below the top of a windshield, unless it’s approved by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Checking the windows
In addition to the windshield, our state inspectors check the windows.
Like the windshield, they make sure windows aren’t cracked, scratched or broken. Cloudiness, distortion and anything else that obstructs your vision are other problems we look for.
The window on the driver’s side must roll down. That way, if your turn signal is malfunctioning you are able to provide hand gestures out the window when changing lanes.
Mirror problems we look for
The side view mirrors are looked over during state inspection, as well.
Mirrors can’t be cracked or broken and must show one solid view. Additionally, the 200 feet behind you needs to be clearly visible. Truck mirrors are required to extend beyond the body’s edge at least halfway.
If there’s tinting on the back windshield and it’s bubbling it – making it difficult for you to see – that can cause you to fail the Virginia safety inspection.
The mirrors need to be firmly mounted, as well. We recently worked on a vehicle that had a loose side view mirror on the passenger side. We were able to move it up and down very easily. This car would have failed state inspection for that reason.
Windshield, windows and mirrors are just some of the areas that state inspectors check. They also take a look at the tires, brakes, exhaust system, steering and suspension, headlights and other lights, and under the hood.
On top of Virginia state inspections, Steve’s Auto Repair performs Emissions Tests, which are required on vehicles that are parked in certain cities and counties, like Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
State inspections are an annual requirement that help keep drivers safe.
Why would my tires not pass Virginia Safety Inspection?
A tire that is flushed with indicators will fail Virginia state inspection.
There are many reasons why a vehicle’s tires may fail.
Tire problems that won’t pass the Virginia Safety Inspection
Inspectors must follow certain guidelines that are set forth by the state.
When it comes to tires, they will evaluate the tread depth and wearing patterns.
When secondary rubber and steel chords are showing on a tire, it will not pass state safety inspection.
A tire won’t pass if secondary rubber or inner steel chords are showing.
Foreign objects, such as nails or screws, in the tires is another indicator.
Other signs are if the tread is flushed with indicators or if the tread is under 2/32 inches in three locations.
Foreign object damage, such as nails and screws in tire, will fail state inspection
Vehicles that have bent or damaged wheels and rims will fail Virginia Safety Inspection.
Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
The serpentine belt is a belt that goes around all of the engine accessories, including the power steering pump, air compressor and alternator.
Because the serpentine belt helps run these components, it’s important to have it checked regularly.
How often the serpentine belt should be changed
Manufacturers have recommendations for how often a vehicle’s belt should be replaced.
Typically, they last about 100,000 miles, depending on the quality of the belt, the usage of the vehicle, and the environment that it’s in.
You need to check not only the belt but the serpentine belt tensioner. Not enough pressure on the belt can cause it to wear, and the ribs can wear down on the belt and can actually start to slip.
Another factor is the serpentine belts can start to crack. If you start to get too many cracks per inch, then it’s definitely time to change the belt, no matter what the mileage is.
If you live near the ocean, where there’s a lot of salt in the air, the belts may only last 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
Does your car not start? Does it crank over, but the engine doesn’t run? Is the little light on your dashboard that looks like an engine on? All these indicate that you need engine diagnostics performed.
Check engine light
It takes quite a few years of training and experience to be able to diagnose today’s high-tech vehicles.
Special scan tools are needed and access to a large database on information to work on your vehicle are needed.
Many times automotive technicians need to start with the basics of a battery and alternator electrical system test to a visual inspection to see if something is obviously damaged to using multi-meters and digital oscilloscopes along with manufacturer scan tools to pinpoint the problem of the vehicle.
These problems can range from broken wiring to components not working to software updates that are needed to make the vehicle operate correctly.
Where there used to be only one computer in the car, there can be up to 30 or more controllers and electronic modules operating the vehicle. Not only do they have to perform their function in the vehicle, they also have to talk to each other. One not working correctly can cause some strange problems.
About engine diagnostics
You may have questions about diagnostics. We have provided some answers below.
Dashboard Warning Lights
How much are engine diagnostics?
The cost of engine diagnostics can vary. You should be prepared for at least a one-hour diagnostics charge. Depending on how difficult the problem is more time may be needed.
At Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire, when we do get into diagnostics there have been time we have found the problem in 30 minutes, and we charge accordingly.
Do you do free check engine light diagnostics?
No. We do charge for what we do, because the equipment and talent required to do it isn’t free. A lot of places that do free check engine light diagnostics will do it if you have the work performed at their shop and they will bury the cost into the job.
How can the parts store do check engine light diagnostics for free?
They’re not performing engine light diagnostics, they’re hooking up a generic scan tool and retrieving the codes and many times just make recommendations on what parts to buy that may or may not fix the vehicle. That is not engine performance diagnostics.
My car won’t start. What now?
We would start with a basic electrical check of the battery, alternator and starter. If all checks there, we would go to the computer and retrieve the codes and then find out what sensor or control system is not working correctly.
Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
